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Locally Verified Credit

Local school boards may award verified credits in science and history/social sciences that may be used to fulfill the requirement of four verified credits of the student's own selection. This policy does not apply to the awarding of verified credits in English or mathematics, which must be earned by passing the high school Standards of Learning tests (or approved substitute tests) in reading, writing and mathematics.
To apply for locally awarded verified credit under this policy, the student will provide information to his/her school's Verified Credit Review Panel. This review panel includes the Principal (Chairperson), Department Chair of Content Area, and Guidance Counselor.

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Grading

Many of the components in the evaluation of student work cannot be given a numerical equivalent. Where a numerical equivalent is appropriate, the county standard is:

 

A = 94 - 100

B = 86 - 93

C = 78 - 85

D = 70 - 77

F = 69 and below

 

To determine grade point average (GPA) for high school courses, the scale shall be:

 

Regular	Honors	Advanced Placement and College Courses (weighted)
A = 4	4.5	A = 5
B = 3	3.5	B = 4
C = 2	2.5	C = 3
D = 1	1.5	D = 2

 

Plus (+) or minus (-) may be used at the discretion of the teacher.

 

Examinations: Semester examinations will be given beginning at the eighth grade level. Middle school examinations (eighth grade) will count 10% of the semester grade. In courses for high school credit, examinations will count 20% of the semester grade.

 

A student in courses for high school credit shall be exempt from the final examination providing that the student maintains a grade of 94% or higher through the last grading period of the course. All students are required to take first semester examinations. The Superintendent may, at his/her discretion, administratively exempt other students from the examination requirement, i. e. as part of an incentive attendance procedure or SOL incentive procedure.

Accelerated courses in grades 9 and 10 carry the CP (college prep) designation. Accelerated courses in grades 11 and 12 carry the H (honors) or AP (advanced placement) designations. College prep, honors, and advanced placement courses are rigorous courses requiring extensive outside reading and challenging assignments.

College prep (CP) courses are available in the core courses of math, science, social studies, and English.

Courses eligible for Honors designation are the following courses: U. S. History, Government, Chemistry, Physics, Biology II, Chemistry II, Foreign Language(s) IV and V, Analysis, Calculus, and English 11 and 12, and courses offered through Massanutten Governor’s School that do not offer college credit.

Summer assignments are controlled by the principal.

Weighted college courses must be in the disciplines of mathematics, foreign language, science, social science, English, computer technology, and technology (integrated and/or engineering type courses) and courses offered through Massanutten Governor's School that carry college credit. Eligible college courses taken for high school credit must have prior principal approval.

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Student Withdrawal From Class

When a student desires to withdraw from a class after school has begun, the request should be made within the first ten (10) days of school. If extenuating circumstances arise which necessitate a student withdrawing from a class after the first ten (10) days of school, the principal will determine final approval for class withdrawal. The following descriptions will apply:

• WP-Withdrawal Passing: This grade will be given to a student who withdraws and is passing a course. No credit and no “F” will be averaged into the Quality Point Average.
• WF-Withdrawal Failing: This grade will be given to a student who withdraws from a class with an “F”. The “F” will be averaged into the Quality Point Average with no credit in the course.
• If a student finds that before the end of the first six weeks that he/she desires to withdraw from a class, a schedule change may be made without necessitating a WF. (Applicable for both semester and year-long courses.)
• In extreme cases, with parental request, a student may drop a class at any time for medical reasons. A WP will apply if the student is passing.

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Alternatives to Animal Dissection

Schools shall provide students with alternatives to animal dissection techniques within each relevant curriculum or course. Alternative dissection techniques may include, but are not limited to, detailed models of animal anatomy and computer simulations. Parents and students will be notified, at the beginning of each school year in the applicable courses, of the option to decline to participate in animal dissection.

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Academic Planning and Career Development

Career development involves organizing the high school program of study around five career areas representing workplace fields. They are:

• Agriculture & Environment
• Business & Marketing
• Engineering, Trade, & Technical
• Communications & Fine Arts
• Health and Human Services

Each Career Development program of studies includes a challenging academic preparation and workplace readiness training. Students are encouraged to complete three courses in a cluster area, or complete a two-year program at Massanutten Technical Center, or complete a two-year cooperative education program.

The flexible curriculum allows students to move among cluster areas as interests and goals change. In each cluster area, students can prepare for a variety of professions. School- to-Work transition opportunities are available to provide work site learning and exploration of a profession. These include work study, cooperative education, job shadowing, apprenticeship, mentorship, and tutoring.

With Career Development, students and parents should select courses and course sequences, and participate in activities that will lead to lifelong careers. Upon completion of the program, students will have the academic foundation to continue their education at a two or four-year institution, or enter the job market with specific skills and a solid academic background.

Download the Career Development Planning Guide and Career Planning Courses

 

 

 

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Selecting Courses

Through careful course selection and close cooperation between the student and guidance counselor, a student will be able to pursue a career goal and still have time for other course offerings without excluding any particular area of study.

The courses chosen should be based on the student's ability, past record of academic achievement, interest in the subject, the career goal(s) of the student, and teacher recommendations. The pursuit of a course of studies leading to entrance into college can include those courses not directly related to college entrance. Art, music, career and technical courses, and other electives offer students the opportunity to explore new areas of study as well as gain knowledge and skills which may likely prove useful to them in whatever career they choose.

In core courses where SOL tests exist, the length of the course may vary. Also, remediation may be required for certain students needing verified credit. For example, in English and mathematics, a student in need of remediation may be double blocked at any grade level for his/her one credit class.

The following list of courses are offered in all Rockingham County Secondary Schools. Courses which are offered are contingent upon sufficient student enrollment. This may result in some courses not being taught in certain schools even though they are offered in all schools. Course descriptions for the middle school years are found in Section I and high school courses are listed in Section II.

Parents/guardians are encouraged to contact a school counselor at any time regarding any course selection.

Many of our textbooks are available online for students and parents to access. They are listed on our Rockingham County Public Schools website homepage under “Textbook Information.”

There are some courses that have additional expenses not listed in these materials.  Examples include, but are not limited to band and chorus.  If you have specific questions regarding possible additional fees, please check with the elective teacher.

 

 

 

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 College Credit Opportunities

Rockingham County Schools encourages college-bound students to explore the variety of options which allow students to acquire college credits while still in high school. In most cases, these options will be exercised by students in grades 11 and 12. Interested students should carefully examine and plan their course of study with guidance counselors as early as 9th and 10th grade. There are a number of requirements that must be met before credit can be earned through any higher education institution. Students wishing to take college courses must have prior approval from the principal. Students and parents may consider these options:

• Distance Learning. Students may take college-level courses by computer offered by many colleges and universities. If a student chooses to regularly work on an online course during an assigned period at school, supervised computer access will be available during that period. Typically, colleges require a grade of "C" or better for credits to be transferable to a college or university. If a student intends to petition for high school credit for a distance learning course, he/she must submit a course syllabus to the principal for evaluation prior to enrolling for the course.
• Dual Enrollment. From time to time, classes may be offered as a part of the high school curriculum, which will result in both high school and college credit. Information about these courses will be made available at the time of high school course registration. Typically, colleges require a grade of “C” or better for credits to be transferable to a college or university.
• Concurrent Enrollment. Opportunities also exist for students to earn credits for courses taught on college campuses, either during the school day or after school. Students are encouraged to explore college-level courses at local higher education institutions. Some students may wish to obtain both high school and college credit for a course taken at Bridgewater College, Blue Ridge Community College, Eastern Mennonite University, James Madison University, or other nearby colleges or universities. One high school credit will be awarded for 6 or 8 (lab class) college credits. College courses for high school credit require prior principal approval.

Students who choose to take college level courses for college credit only, should carefully consider the college's suggested and required prerequisites. Discussions with school guidance counselors are strongly recommended before any course registration. Prior principal approval is needed for college credit only courses if the student is requesting release during regular school hours.

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 Virginia Virtual Advanced Placement School

The Virginia Virtual Advanced Placement School offers online AP and foreign language courses to students across the state and nation. Each course contains video segments, audio clips, whiteboard and online discussions as well as text. Teachers will be available for telephone conversations with students throughout the school day.  VAPS courses can be scheduled flexibly throughout the day, as courses do not have to be taken in 'real' time. 

Students in middle and high schools who meet the prerequisites may enroll through their schools. The deadline for registering students is the end of the first week of school for your district.  Virtual Virginia coursework credit will be accepted for required credits as prescribed in  8 VAC 20-131-60.C.

The first step in registering for Virtual Virginia classes is to meet with your school  counselor.

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The Blue Ridge Community College Tech Prep consortium provides full tuition scholarships for senior students to take up to four BRCC courses (one academic class, one occupational class) during the fall and spring sessions. Scholarship recipients are selected through an application process. Rising seniors must be recommended by their school principal and counselor and meet the admission requirements for BRCC, including demonstrating academic proficiency through the College Preparedness test. Students are responsible for purchasing textbooks for classes.
In all cases, access to college courses is based upon course availability and upon any eligibility requirements by the college. Students are responsible for completing the registration process and paying tuition.
Please note that the granting of credit or the acceptance/designation of earned credits (via distance learning, dual enrollment, or concurrent enrollment) is solely at the discretion of the college or university in which a student chooses to enroll after high school.
Ask your counselor for a current "college course information sheet" listing high school credit-college course equivalents.

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Massanutten Regional Governor's School

Course Descriptions

English Courses

Advanced Placement/Dual Enrollment English Language and Composition 11 is a two semester course emphasizing the development of skills in critical reading of imaginative and discursive literature and non-fiction and in responding to these readings through writing.  It is designed for students capable of doing college-level work in English while they are in secondary school, and who are willing to devote the energy necessary to complete a course more rigorous and demanding than other high school English courses intended for the college-bound student.

A major goal is to enable students to demonstrate their achievement in college-level work by taking the Advanced Placement English Examination in Literature and Composition.  This examination is administered by the Educational Testing Service for the College Board in May of each school year.

Other goals of the course are to enable students to learn at a rate commensurate with their ability; to deal with material that intellectually mature students find engaging; to refine reading and writing skills important to success in college; and to cultivate habits of reading, writing, and thinking that characterize life-long learning.  Students have the option of dual enrolling this course through Lord Fairfax Community College.  (Course # ENG 111 & 112, 1 credit) 

Advanced Placement/Dual Enrollment English Literature 12 is a two semester course emphasizing the development of skills in critical reading of imaginative and discursive literature and in writing about literature and related ideas.  It is designed for students capable of doing college-level work in English while they are in secondary school, and who are willing to devote the energy necessary to complete a course more rigorous and demanding than other high school English courses intended for the college-bound student.

A major goal is to enable students to demonstrate their achievement in college-level work by taking the Advanced Placement English Examination in Literature and Composition.  This examination is administered by the Educational Testing Service for the College Board in May of each school year.

Other goals of the course are to enable students to learn at a rate commensurate with their ability; to deal with material that intellectually mature students find engaging; to refine reading and writing skills important to success in college; and to cultivate habits of reading, writing, and thinking that characterize life-long learning.   Students have the option of dual enrolling this course through Lord Fairfax Community College.  (Course # ENG 251 & 252, 1 credit)

Mathematics Courses

Science Courses

Dual Enrollment Environmental Science II, a college level course, is an interdisciplinary study combining ideas and information from biology, chemistry and geology, as well as the social science fields of economics and political science. The research aspect of this course will investigate how nature works and how things are interconnected. The fundamental scientific and social content of these areas to be mastered before the in-depth treatment of key environmental issues may be accomplished. Students have the option of dual enrolling this as a Geology course through James Madison University (Course # GGEO 102, 1 credit).

Natural Resources and Ecology - “Agro-Ecology” - Virginia's Shenandoah Valley is one of the nation's richest areas of diversified agriculture. The fertile river bottom soils and abundance of rivers and streams create an ideal environmental for the production of food and fiber that we use daily. Exploring the issues surrounding agriculture, conservation and management of soil, water, plants, forests and wildlife will be the focus of Agro-Ecology. (1 credit)

Natural Resources Management - “Sustainable Agriculture” - Today's American Farmer is responsible for feeding nearly 150 people here and abroad. With the population growing, and arable land shrinking, how can we sustain life on earth? Using the basics of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Agriculture, we will look at some of the issues facing sustainability today. Disease, growth, erosion, pollution, economics and biotechnology are all areas that we will discuss to determine how life on earth can continue. (1 credit)

Research and Mentorship

Dual Enrollment Research - Students acquire skills and concepts inherent in the research process, which for all disciplines, is based upon the scientific method of inquiry. Students are encouraged to link their problem investigations and solutions to science. At the beginning of the year, students formulate a testable hypothesis and explore it through primary research and data interpretation. At the end of the academic year, students give a public presentation of their findings and conclusions, as well as completing a deliverable product suited to their field of research. A component of this course is a mentorship which is designed to allow the student to pair up with a community-based mentor for either a short or long-term relationship geared towards enhancing the in-school curriculum. The number of hours completed and documented will determine the amount of credit the student earns. Students earn half credit for 70 mentorship hours or a whole credit for 140 hours. This course will be dual enrolled as an Educational Research class through Lord Fairfax. (Course # 9084, .5 or 1 credit)

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High School Planning Sheet

Click to download a .pdf version of a High School Planning Sheet.

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